Bobcats, Coahoma first met in 1975

(Note: Jones County Junior College is celebrating its Centennial Year in 2011. As the school year goes along, we will take a look back at some notable contests for JCJC athletics. Today, we look at the first time the Bobcats faced this week’s opponent, Coahoma Community College.)

ELLISVILLE – The Jones County Junior College Bobcats and Coahoma Community College Tigers have not met many times on the gridiron.

JCJC had won the first 18 games in the series up until last year’s 26-24 loss to the Tigers in Clarksdale.

But the first time the two teams played each other was on Oct. 11, 1975, at Bush-Young Stadium on the JCJC campus and the Bobcats won, 39-7.

JCJC took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when quarterback Dennis Gibson scored on a 1-yard sneak and Skully McLeod booted the extra point. Claude Lang’s 2-yard run and McLeod’s PAT gave JCJC a 14-0 lead.

In the second quarter, the Bobcat defense sacked the Coahoma quarterback in the end zone for a safety to make it 16-0. Coahoma’s touchdown came when linebacker Robert Gardner intercepted a pass and returned it 55 yards for a score to make it 16-7.

But JCJC’s Robert Smith would score on an 18-yard run late in the second quarter to give the Bobcats a 22-7 halftime lead.

McLeod’s 25-yard field goal in the third quarter put the Bobcats ahead 25-7. In the fourth quarter, Gibson found Skip Golding on a 20-yard scoring pass and the Bobcats would add another score late in the game.

JCJC outgained Coahoma, 353-107 in total offense, and picked up 21 first downs. The Bobcats rushed for 238 yards and were 8-of-17 through the air for 115 yards.

“I thought we got after them pretty good,” said head coach Sim Cooley. “We let everybody play and I was pleased with the overall effort.”

The victory evened JCJC’s record at 3-3 and they would on to finish the 1975 season with a 6-4 record.